ECNL National Playoffs: PrepSoccer’s 08 Best XI 

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PrepSoccer scouts were on hand for the ECNL National Playoffs in Southern California last week. In the 2008 age group, the action was intense as many of the top players in the 2026 and 2027 classes faced off for the end-of-the-season event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is the PrepSoccer Best XI from the event. As we have in the past, we gave some preference to players from teams that advanced from the event in awarding spots on this team. We also limited it to one player per team for the honor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check back later this week for the Best XI from the 07 and 06 age groups.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong>PrepSoccer 2023 ECNL Playoffs 2008 Best XI</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19625"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Beary was a standout for the So Cal Blues team throughout the week in San Diego. She played in the Round of 16 game against Michigan Hawks and did exceptional in her distribution as she was pinging the ball all over the field. Her physical frame as one of the tallest players in her class (2027) will sure stand out to scouts, but it's the deliberate work on the technique that has really impressed me. She is good with her feet. From the knockout round game, she showed that she was comfortable off her line and did well in the a few of the challenges when she came out for the ball - she also had the help of her teammates on one chance that was floated over her. [player_tooltip player_id='112486' first='Hailey' last='Gallegos'] was also in goal for Blues during the event. Beary and Gallegos combined for two shutouts from the four games.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a5f34714127"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["27192"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Liner is a favorite of PrepSoccer scouts for some time and she reenforced those praises with her performances in San Diego. The center back was outstanding throughout the event and stepped up her level even more during the knockout round game. An aerial threat on both sides of the ball, Liner was the target that everyone was looking at. She did exceptionally well in the run of play in cutting out crosses and keeping the center forward contained. With two shutouts from the four games, Sting Dallas Black had one of the most impressive defensive performances of the event. [player_tooltip player_id='48060' first='Abby' last='Graul'] and [player_tooltip player_id='26638' first='Danielle' last='Chaump'] were also standouts for Sting Dallas Black.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["25723"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Penn Fusion is one of those teams that easily could have had four or five players on the Best XI from the event, but Bartsch ends up in the spotlight this time. The left back had an outstanding game against Solar. It is memorable for converting the final shot from the spot to send the team to Richmond. However, there is so much more to her game than that moment. She was disciplined in her approach against one of the best attacking teams in the ECNL. She knew when to get forward and when to stay back. She did well whenever she was on the ball and she posed a threat from almost every dead ball service. She was strong in the tackle and had a number of key moments with interceptions or blocks. Ava Reddy and Olivia Rubinich were stellar at center back. Daniela Vogel and Elayna Kocher had good spells in the attack on the wings. Addison Mills, Noelle Clabaugh, and Kate Kemmerley were a terrific trio in the midfield for much of the week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["28466"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Whipple was a standout against FC Dallas in the group play game. She backed it up with another strong performance against De Anza Force in the Round of 16. Whipple is a center back with Youth National Team call-ups and it is easy to see why she is rated highly by scouts for that program. She does the little things well. She anticipates and reacts before most. She is unforgiving in the tackle and she does not quit on the play. She is exactly the type of center back who should be on the trajectory of the international level. Sydney Scott, Summer Murphy, and Saleen Koszorus were also standouts for Crossfire.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["24246"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Foye did a bit of everything for her PDA side, which was undefeated at the event but failed to advance from group play. Foye was dominant in each game. She was all over the field - even while playing center back and put forth a stellar showing at the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["82545"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Haras had a couple of games that deserved the attention of scouts. She was outstanding against Sting Austin. She covered ground, made tackles, and hit a couple of key passes. She was equally as good against Eclipse Select. Playing in a defensive midfield role, Haras controlled where the game was played. Her positioning and tackles made life difficult on Eclipse and helped her side to the victory in the Round of 16 tilt. [player_tooltip player_id='82570' first='Makenna' last='August'], [player_tooltip player_id='82522' first='Mia' last='Corona'], and [player_tooltip player_id='82823' first='Jaelynn' last='Hillenbrand'] were also standouts for Legends FC.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a5bb340b138"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["124917"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"NC Courage advanced from a difficult group but came up just short of clinching a spot in Richmond. Kennedy, a box-to-box midfielder who is part of the US Youth National Team program, had a standout game against Sting Dallas Black in the knock-out round. The midfielder impressed with her facilitating for her side. She did well on the ball and always had her next pass already figured out. She clearly looks like the type of player who can be a difference-maker in this gam for a long time and her performances against the best of the best in San Diego showed the type of quality she brings to the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["94679"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I wrote about Trotter's performance as a center back during the games on Monday, but she was clearly playing defensive midfield against So Cal Blues during the knock out game. There were plenty of great performances from Hawks throughout the week, but Trotter earns the spotlight in this Team of the Event. She is so calm and cool on the ball. It seems like nothing troubles or worries her. With subtle body feints from dropping to the shoulder to the half fake on the pass, Trotter is an expert at creating space in tight areas. She has the potential to be a top prospect in her position at a national level. Nina Laba and Amber Weaver were excellent at center back for Hawks against Blues. Brooklynn Schomaker did well at left back. She was smart in possession and fiercely competitive defensively.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["20500"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"It was incredibly tough to pick just one player from the Real Colorado squad, but Linder deserves the spotlight. The defensive center midfielder was excellent for Real Colorado - especially in the knockout game against Beach. Always in the right spot, strong in the tackle, and smart with possession, Linder had a masterclass performance. In the second half, she had more ball recoveries than most players had in the whole event. Center backs Lillian Osifodunrin and Paige Bundy were also standouts for Real Colorado as well as the whole defensive unit. Real Colorado finished the event with zero goals conceded from the four games.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["44649"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Cecil was the best player on the day last week and she continued that run of play for the rest of the event while helping Surf to a spot in the final eight. The midfielder is a perfect example of where the game is headed. The best player comparison for her is Sam Mewis. There is this versatility to her game that makes you believe she could play any position and be a star, but the obvious answer is play her as a center midfielder and let her shine the brightest with freedom to take over the game. [player_tooltip player_id='82820' first='Marley' last='Adams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='58256' first='Presley' last='Williams'] were also key contributors in the attack for Surf.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnrnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["82414"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The Slammers Koge offense was prolific in the first four games of the playoffs with 19 goals scored. Malinoski caught our eyes with her performance against Concorde Fire Platinum. The talented striker was unstoppable and announced herself as a top forward in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a5bb340b26b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->